This report presents findings from The National Survey of Research Commercialisation (NSRC) survey on the research engagement and commercialisation activities of publicly funded research organisations in Australia.

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) believes that realising the benefits of Australia’s world-class research system requires translation of its outputs into economic and societal benefits. The effective translation of research will be at the core of Australia’s future competitiveness and prosperity.

Introduction As a key, business-focused element of the Economic Action Strategy, the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda brings together and builds on the Government’s other economic reform efforts to make the most of Australia’s strengths and business opportunities. Through the Competitiveness Agenda, the Government aims to achieve four overarching ambitions: A lower cost, business friendly...

OECD data shows that Australian researchers are less engaged in collaboration with industry than their counterparts in other countries. This is of particular concern for Australia given the large proportion of our researchers in the public sector. Calls to address this problem have increasingly been heard from government and industry.

According to the report, the architecture of Australia’s existing national innovation system is now a generation old and requires an urgent re-appraisal and re-structuring. Its 72 recommendations range across the components of an effective system, focusing on innovation in business, strengthening people and skills, excellence in national research, information and market design, and taxation.